Another bookshelf speaker search....

....this time it's for my friend. Here are the parameters:

1. since no sub will accompany the speakers, they'll need substantial bass extension (45 Hz or less)
2. since they'll be played loudly at times with a 50-watt tube amp, the speakers should have an average sensitivity (88 dB or higher)
3. price range of $500 - $800 new or used
4. gotta have a real wood look to it (oak, cherry, maple, etc.) The speakers are going in the main living room, so there's a WAF issue here.
5. since they will be positioned close to the wall, a front port (or no port at all) would be preferrable.
6. Gotta be "audiophile" quality. In other words, anything from the local Best Buy or Circuit City would probably not qualify.
7. Gotta have a brand name.
8. MTM style is OK

I already recommended the Lsi9, but the speakers are just too damn big!

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Check out the Boston Acoustics VR-M60 or VR-M50's. The 60 has a 6.5" woofer and the 50 a 5.5". Although they are rear ported and don't go to the 45HZ range they are worth a look. I would recommend the 60's although I own both models. I bought my first pair of VR-M60's about 4 years ago and have not looked back. I had a pair of RT800's at the time and musically there was no comparison, it was all BA. I looked at Paradigm and Monitor Audio Silver series towers- I forget the model number but it was the top speaker in that line and listed for $2000 a pair the VR-m60's were $1000 ans were every bit as good as the MA. I am currently running 5 VR-M60's in a 5.1 set up. I found a guy locally selling 1 speaker and I bought for a center and when Tweeter quit carrying BA I bought another pair on closeout for 60% off list. These speakers excel on accoustic music but are very good on all types. They can handle plenty of bass. When I bought them I tested with the "Loverman" track of of Metallicas Garage Inc CD. This song has plenty of bass and lots of dynamic range. These little speakers gave up nothing to tower speakers and were auditioned with no sub.


I still love Polk's but do not have them in either of my systems at this time. When I can find the right SDA's that will change.

In the speaker thread there's mention of the Tyler Acoustics F-2. Might be worth a look.

NHT SB3. Bass extension down to 39 HZ in a sealed enclosure.
Stereophile Class C rating.

Early,

Well, for whatever its worth, I will be doing a major shootout in the range you are looking at - all speakers meeting your qualifications splendidly.

Von Schweikert VR-1's
Totem Acoustic 'Mite'
Meadowlark Audio 'Swallow'
Audio Note Ax-Two


The VR-1's use a very small rear loading port and are decently comfortable driven by small powered amps, and put near the wall. Incredibly handsome, audiophile approved name.. et all.

The Totem Acoustic Mite is as cute as a speaker can get. Huge sound. Cosmetically dashing (at least, in Cherry). Audiophile approved name, can be driven with low powered products.. and too can be placed closer to a wall.

The Meadowlarks use front porting.. perhaps the best cab of the bunch... can sing on low powered amps, audiophile approved name... only downside is, that company is no longer in business.

The Audio Note Ax-Two is AT HOME near a wall. Loves low powered tubes... light weight cab, not as dashing as the others, but quite handsome in cherry or rosewood (I have pics if need be). Audiophile approved name..

Cool, Zero. I'm really looking forward to the shootout and will pass on the results to my friend. Please post lotsa pics.

Will you be using any tube gear in your shootout?

Early,

I am taking pics as the gear arrives. Unfortunately, it is looking like the camera will be in the service center during the shoot-out. I sure hope not, but its not my camera so its not my call.

I attempted to score my friends Jolida SJ202A integrated with some modifcations. Someone bought it from him before I decided... so no tube gear will be used. I am accepting donations, however! =)

Definitive Technology Power Monitors - Choose One...

Each one has a built in subwoofer, from 8" to 10"...

They have great extention and neutral sound... and can have a rich Cherry top and bottom cap with a clean grill sock...

PM 500, 700, 900

http://www.definitivetech.com/loudsp...ermonitor.html

The PM500 would fit the bill, very small - but heavy.

They all can had used fairly cheap though... but if new is the only way to go... ya know.

Note though, as I said above... all of those bookshelfs are HEAVY. They are constructed of 1" Medite throughout... so they are no light weights...

I'll give a second nod to the NHT SB3's.

Early,
How do you like the Soliloquy's?

A bookshelf speaker that I have been wanting to buy one day is the JM Labs Electra 906. 90 db efficiency. They sound great with a tube amp as I listened to them for a good 2 hours a few months ago. A little more expensive than your $800 but a killer speaker that I had to walk over to the sub in the room and make sure that it wasn't playing. Detailed and throw a wide soundstage. Beautiful speaker and won many "speaker of the year" accolades a couple of years ago.. They can be had for under $1,000 on Audiogon. Sorry if I recommended something over what you requested but if you can give them a listen I would.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....oni&1125512670

Quote:

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How do you like the Soliloquy's?

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The Soliloquy's are great. Right now I'm using them as HT fronts. I tried them on my 2-channel system for a second, but since they were severely constrained due to placement, I can't offer my opinion of them for music only. I will say, however, that DVDs are the best I've ever heard from my system (these are my 9th pair of HT fronts).

My friend is considering the Soliloquy 6.0 monitors if he can find them used within the price range. I'd love to hear them. Apparently, they go down to 35 Hz which is the same as my Soliloquy 5.3 floorstanders.

I also like the NHTs, but I'm not sure about their efficiency...I think it's pretty low...

A used pair of Dynaudio Audience 52.

Or the ACI Emerald should be able to play a little lower in room...

av 123 has a teriffic deal on a onix sp3 tube integrated amplifier 38 wpc and the onix reference 1 monitor for $1.199 these speakers come in south american rosewood veneer and have a french made atohm 5.25 midbass woofer and a vifa xt ring radiator tweeter they are 4 ohms nominal and 88 db efficiency the frequency response is 42 hz to 35 khz and are 48 lbs per pair 8 x11 x14.5 they are normaly 1.500 per pair but with this package deal you get a $999.00 integrated amp and $1,500 reference grade bookshelf speakers for $1.199 so in reality the onix ref 1 only costs you $600 bucks the speakers are rear ported but everything else meets your parameters. six moons did a review on this combo if anyone is interested.